Title: Pet Insurance & Pre-Existing Conditions in New Zealand
1Pet Insurance Pre-Existing Conditions in New
Zealand
2Perhaps the biggest issue in the Pet Insurance
industry in New Zealand is pre-existing
conditions. In New Zealand it is common for
people who have an animal who has a
pre-existing condition to think that there is
no point in getting Pet Insurance as it is in
the rest of the world. So today we will be
discussing what a pre-existing condition is and
how it effects Pet Insurance in New Zealand.
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3WHAT IS A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION?
A pre-existing condition is an illness or
injury that has occurred in the past. The reason
that this relates to pet insurance (New Zealand)
is that pre-existing conditions effect the way
that insurance is applied and arranged. Insurance
is designed to protect the policy holder against
unexpected events or illnesses,
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4which mean that Pet Insurance is designed to
protect your pet from an unexpected illness or an
accident not something you know will happen. A
pre-existing condition can mean that you are
susceptible to various health problems or ongoing
issues, these issues are something you can be
prepared for. Whereas your New Zealand Pet
Insurance is for protecting your pet from the
unexpected.
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5CAN YOU STILL GET PET INSURANCE IN NEW ZEALAND,
IF YOUR PET HAS A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION?
Because insurance is based on risk, there are
some circumstances when you will not be able to
get Pet insurance in New Zealand, if your pet has
a pre-existing condition. However the in the
vast major of cases the answer will be yes. If
your pet has a pre-existing condition,
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6you New Zealand Pet insurance company will need
to know about it, and then will access the risk
of the pre-existing condition, as well of any
other risks. There may be some exclusions placed
on the policy (which may be time limited) but in
most cases, the policy is still approved.
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7IF MY PET HAS A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION HOW
WILL IT AFFECT MY NEW ZEALAND PET INSURANCE
POLICY?
If you New Zealand Pet Insurer thinks that their
policy will not cover many unexpected situations,
because of your pets susceptibility to
complications from their pre-existing
condition/s, they will tell you and possible
refuse your policy. However this is much better
than getting a policy only to find out that your
claims are rejected.
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8More than likely your New Zealand Pet Insurance
company will ask for your veterinary records and
will activate a policy for your pet, excluding a
few illnesses they could exclude these illnesses
for a few months or a few years. This is because
the effect of a pre-existing condition is not
necessarily a risk for the insurer for very long.
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9If your pet has a pre-existing condition and
you live in New Zealand, you will find that the
being honest with your pet insurance company is
the best route. In most circumstances a
pre-existing condition will not mean that your
pet cannot get insurance, often it will mean that
you can cover them without a problem.
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10Get a quote for your dog, cat or horse
today! Call 1300 738 225 Visit www.petplan.net.nz